This section focuses on applications for the English-language Bachelor's Programme in Science in admission group 1. Application period is from 1 December 2023 to 3 January 2024. You must follow these instructions if you completed the studies providing eligibility for higher education prior to your arrival in Finland and are unable to obtain a certificate for such studies.
Make sure you meet the language requirements of your prospective degree programme and make sure you are able to prove the required language proficiency. If you do not meet the language requirements, you cannot be admitted to the programme. You must also complete two SAT Subject Tests or two SAT section tests (more information here).
Prepare to prove that you have been granted asylum or a residence permit on grounds of subsidiary protection or that you have arrived in Finland under the refugee quota. Please note that the certificate proving the above must be made available during the period when the required enclosures are to be submitted, i.e., by 24 January 2024 at 3 PM local Finnish time. Application documents submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. You can request a certificate on the grounds of your residence permit or refugee status from the Finnish Immigration Service (see detailed instructions on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service).
Submit an application and the required proof of language proficiency, the report on the SAT Subject Test results or SAT section tests and other enclosures to the University of Helsinki Admission Services. (See instructions here) Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an application number.
After submitting an application and delivering the required enclosures, please send an email to simhe@helsinki.fi, stating your application number and the fact that you are unable to prove that you have completed education providing eligibility for higher education. Admission Services will contact you, and you will receive an encrypted email with instructions for proving your refugee status.
NB! Your email is not an application to a degree programme! You must submit an official application by the application deadline.
Any documents you submit concerning your refugee status will be confidentially processed and appropriately disposed of after the appeals deadline.
This section focuses on applications for English-language and multilingual master's programmes. Application period is from 1 December 2023 to 3 January 2024.
Make sure you meet the language requirements of your prospective degree programme and make sure you are able to prove the required language proficiency. If you do not meet the language requirements, you cannot be admitted to the programme. Prepare to prove that you have been granted asylum or a residence permit on grounds of subsidiary protection or that you have arrived in Finland under the refugee quota. Please note that the certificate proving the above must be made available during the period when the required enclosures are to be submitted, i.e., by 24 January 2024 at 3 PM local Finnish time. Application documents submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. You can request a certificate of the grounds of your residence permit or refugee status from the Finnish Immigration Service (see detailed instructions on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service).
If you do not have original documents and thus cannot submit officially certified copies, submit unofficial copies. If you are unable to meet the country-specific requirements, submit your document via a method feasible for you. For example, if you have an original diploma in Finland, have a copy of the diploma certified by a Finnish notary public.
You must be able to submit at least the following:
or
If the original documents are not in Finnish, Swedish or English, you must submit authorised translations.
If you do not submit information on the courses you have completed and the title of your degree, your application cannot be considered.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an application number.
If you are unable to submit all the required enclosures with your application, or if the enclosures do not meet the country-specific requirements, please send an email to simhe@helsinki.fi, stating your application number and the fact that you are unable to submit all the required enclosures. Admission Services will contact you, and you will receive an encrypted email with instructions for proving your refugee status.
NB! Your email is not an application to a master’s programme! You must submit an official application by the application deadline.
If the documents you submit are considered inadequate, your application cannot be considered even if you prove your refugee status.
Any documents you submit concerning your refugee status will be confidentially processed and appropriately disposed of after the appeals deadline.
This section focuses on the joint application procedure for bachelor’s programmes. Application period is from 13 March to 27 March 2024. You must follow these instructions if you have completed studies providing eligibility for higher education prior to your arrival in Finland and are unable to obtain a certificate for such studies.
Make sure you meet the language requirements of your prospective degree programme and make sure you are able to prove the required language proficiency. If you do not meet the language requirements, you cannot be admitted to the programme.
Prepare to prove that you have been granted asylum or a residence permit on grounds of subsidiary protection or that you have arrived in Finland under the refugee quota. Please note that the certificate proving the above must be made available during the period when the required enclosures are to be submitted, i.e., by April 3 2024 at 3 PM local Finnish time. Application documents submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. You can request a certificate on the grounds of your residence permit or refugee status from the Finnish Immigration Service (see detailed instructions on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service).
Submit an application to your prospective programme and deliver, if necessary, a language certificate and any other enclosures to the University of Helsinki Admission Services. (See Finnish-language instructions here) Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an application number.
After submitting an application and delivering the required enclosures, please send an email to simhe@helsinki.fi, stating your application number and the fact that you are unable to prove that you have completed education providing eligibility for higher education. Admission Services will contact you, and you will receive an encrypted email with instructions for proving your refugee status.
NB! Your email is not an application to a degree programme! You must submit an official application by the application deadline.
If the documents you submit are considered sufficient, you can take the entrance examination administered in the option you applied for. The examination will be assessed in accordance with the general principles of assessment. Information on your refugee status will not be disclosed to degree programmes. Any documents you submit concerning your refugee status will be confidentially processed and appropriately disposed of after the appeals deadline.
This section focuses on the application procedure for Finnish- and Swedish-language master’s programmes. Applications can be submitted between 13 March and 27 March 2024.
Make sure you meet the language requirements of your prospective degree programme and make sure you are able to prove the required language proficiency. If you do not meet the language requirements, you cannot be admitted to the programme. Prepare to prove that you have been granted asylum or a residence permit on grounds of subsidiary protection or that you have arrived in Finland under the refugee quota. Please note that the certificate proving the above must be made available during the period when the required enclosures are to be submitted, i.e., by April 3 2024 at 3 PM local Finnish time. Application documents submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. You can request a certificate on the grounds of your residence permit or refugee status from the Finnish Immigration Service (see detailed instructions on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service).
Submit an application to your prospective programme together with all the enclosures you are able to submit. If you do not have original documents and thus cannot submit officially certified copies, submit unofficial copies. If you are unable to meet the country-specific requirements, submit your documents via a method feasible for you. For example, if you have an original diploma in Finland, have a copy of the diploma certified by a Finnish notary public.
You must be able to submit at least the following:
or
If the original documents are not in Finnish, Swedish or English, you must submit authorised translations.
If you do not submit information on the courses you have completed and the title of your degree, your application cannot be considered.
If the option you applied for requires the submission of enclosures you can prepare yourself (e.g., a motivation letter or an academic text), they must be submitted.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an application number.
If you are unable to submit all the required enclosures with your application, or if the enclosures do not meet the country-specific requirements, please send an email to simhe@helsinki.fi, stating your application number and the fact that you are unable to submit all the required enclosures. Admission Services will contact you, and you will receive an encrypted email with instructions for proving your refugee status.
NB! Your email is not an application to a master’s programme! You must submit an official application by the application deadline.
If the documents you submit are considered inadequate, your application cannot be considered even if you prove your refugee status. Information on your refugee status will not be disclosed to degree programmes. Any documents you submit concerning your refugee status will be confidentially processed and appropriately disposed of after the appeals deadline.
The SIMHE scholarship is 10 000 euros per year. The scholarship is given to a maximum of two new students each year. You can use the scholarship, for example, to study materials and living costs.
You can get the scholarship if you get a study place.
You can apply for the SIMHE scholarship if you:
If you have completed your primary education in Finland, you cannot get the SIMHE scholarship.
For the scholarship you need a certificate about your refugee status or the grounds for your residence permit from the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri). Read more on Migri’s website and follow their instructions. Request for the certificate in time!
You have to apply for a study place at the University of Helsinki to be able to apply for the SIMHE scholarship.
Send an e-mail to simhe@helsinki.fi. In your message, write that you are applying for the SIMHE scholarship. Write your application number in the message. You get an application number after you have submitted an application to a master’s programme or the bachelor’s programme.
You will get a reply by encrypted email. The encrypted email has instructions on how to safely send Migri’s certificate to University of Helsinki. Follow the instructions in the encrypted email.
Do not submit Migri’s certificate to the University of Helsinki in paper form, unless you are asked to do so. Do not submit Migri’s certificate to the University of Helsinki with other enclosures (e.g. degree certificate).
The certificate from Migri must be delivered to simhe@helsinki.fi by January 24, 2024 at 3 PM local Finnish time. If you do not deliver the certificate to this address, your application for the scholarship will not be considered.
The scholarship is granted for two years in master’s studies, and for three years in bachelor’s studies. You must study full time. This means that during one academic year you must complete 55 credits. You get credits from completing courses. If you do not complete enough courses, the payment of the scholarship might not continue after the first year.